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Title 



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Imprint. 



16-^7372-2 OPO 



RULES 



INSPECTION INO MEISEEMENT OF TIBER. 



NAVY OP THE UNITED STATES 5 



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ADOPTED BY 



THE BUREAU OF CONSTRUCTION, EaUIPMENT AND REPAIRS, UNDER 

THE AUTHORITY OF THE HON. THE SECRETARY 

OF THE NAVY, SEPTEMBER, 1848. 



J. & G. S. Gideon, Printers, Washington. 



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RULES 



LIVE OAK. 

All frame or other limber cut (o moulds, or got out by diagrams, must 
be six inches longer at each end than the moulds, or diagrams; and two 
inches larger each way than the net siding and moulding. The moulds 
and bevellings are to be applied to each piece by the Inspector. 

Keelson pieces may be got out in pairs, or two pieces in one, with 
an allowance of two inches the siding way^ and six inches the mould- 
ing way. The allowance of six inches in the moulding size is for the 
purpose of taking out the pith or centre of the tree. They may have 
a fair curve of from 10 to 14 inches one way, but they must be lined 
straight the siding way. Or they may be got in single pieces, with 
the centre or pith taken out before offered for inspection. In all cases, 
to be the dimensions called for in the contract. 

Beams are to be got to sharp corners, one foot longer, and two 
inches larger in the siding and moulding, than the net dimensions. No 
lap or scarph to be cut by the contractor. 

Knees are to be got by the directions and proportions of white oak 
knees, and measured by the inch as white oak knees are measured. — 
See the table for White Oak knees. 

Protniscuous timber must be sided straight to the siding size named 
in the contract. No wood is to be taken from this kind of timber the 
moulding way. 

Live oak must be clear of rot, splits, ring, and other shakes, worm^ 
or ant holes, and all other defects which may appear. All sap-wood to 
be excluded from the measurement, except in knees. All live oak to 
be measured by the cubic foot, except knees. 

WHITE OAK. 

Keel pieces must be got to sharp corners, (right angles,) and be two 
feet longer and two inches larger on each side, as squared, than the 
net dimensions; this allowance will secure the pieces from all sap-wood, 
which would be injurious. The fore and after pieces must be dug up 
by the roots; the butt and top ends to be sawed off to sound and^jjerfect 
wood before offered for inspection. 



Rudder stocka must be ilug up by the roots, and got two feet longer 
and two inclies larger, the siding and moulding way, than the net di- 
mensions. They are to be got to \\\q form, prescribed in the contraci; 
both ends are to be sawed off square to sound and perfect wood. 

Plank stocks. One-half the quantit}^ required by contract, or open 
purchase, must he forty -three feet in length; none of the remaining 
half shall be less than thirty-five feet in length, and the whole quantity 
shall ^\ex?i.ge forty -three feet. The stocks are to be lined straight the 
siding way, and may be straight, or have a long fair curve, the other 
way. No sudden crooks will be allowed; both sides may be lined ta- 
pering, in conformity with the growth of the tree. The small end must 
not be under twelve inches square, clear of wane. Wane, exceeding 
one-fourth of the width of the face of the stocks as squared, will be ob- 
jectionable. At the middle of the length of the stock, the breadth and 
depth to be taken, and considered the size for computation; the ends 
must be sawed off square, to sound and perfect wood, by the contractor; 
the sap-wood to be excluded in the measurement. 

Promiscuous timber may be got as the trees grow, and of sucli 
lengths and sizes as may be required from tinie to time by contract. 
When got as rough squared timber, care must be taken to make suita- 
ble allowances for axe marks and improper squaring; the mean size to 
be adopted in the computation. When delivered in the round log, for 
the measurement take the mean diameter, deduct from this diameter 
one-fourth, and the remainder will be considered the square of the log. 
The sap-wood to be excluded in the measurement of the rough squared 
promiscuous timber. The keel pieces, rudder stocks, plank slocks, 
and promiscuous timber, to be measured by the cubic foot. 

White oak plank. One-half of the quantity required to be forty-three 
feet in length, none of the second half to be under thirty-five feet in 
length, and the whole to average forty-three feet in length. 

The centre or pith of the tree to be taken out. It is to be sawed to 
full and even thicknesses. No sudden crooks will be allowed; a long 
fair curve is admissible. 

"At the middle of the length of the plank take the breadth and the 
thickness, which are to be considered the sizes for computation; the 
measurement to be board measure. No sap-wood allowed in the mea- 
surement. 

Gun-carriage timber, thick stuff for caps and trestletrees, must have 
the centre or pith taken out, to be got to sharp corners, (that is, clear 



1l 



of wane,) each piece to be one foot longer and two inches larger each 
way than the net dimensions; this will exclude all sap-wood. To be 
measured as board measure. 

Butts, under twelve inches diameter at the small end , and got in 
the round log, to be purchased by the piece. All oak butts twelve 
inches diameter, and upwards, at the small end, (in the round log,) 
will be called Promiscuous timber, and be measured by the cubic foot. 

White oak staves and heading , are to be the lengths, breadths, and 
thickness, agreeably to contract. All staves and heading are to be riven, 
and not sawed to their breadths and thickness. They are purchased 
b}'' the net thousand. 

The inadmissible defects in white oak are the bunch worms, (for 
which see the drawing,) large worm holes that will injure, ant holes, 
wind and ring shakes, splits, rot, sap-wood, uneven thickness in plank, 
cross or diagonal grain. Old brittle oak is not fit for the navy. IMie 
average lengths must be attended to, and the bark must be removed 
from all white oak, except from the small butts required for the cooper. 

White oak knees are to be received agreeably to the following table 
and directions; the price may be changed by contract for each sided 
inch, but the system is continued as adopted by the Bureau of ''Con- 
struction, Equipment and Repairs," on the 26th June, 1S4T. Live 
Dak and hacmetac knees will be measured by the same rule of mea- 
surement. The prices of white oak knees are included in the table, 
to show the ratio of prices which should govern in regard to the length 
of the body and arm. 

TABLE. 



Sided. 


Lengtli of 
body. 


Length of 
urm. 


Value per 

sided inch per 

foot, of the 


Total value 
per sided inch. 


Total value 
per knee. 




Body. 


Arm. 














Cents. 


Cents. 


Cents. 


i 


5 inch - 


4 


to G feet. 


3i 


to 4i feet. 


3.1 


5.9 


33 to 45 


$1 65 $2 25 


6 " 


44 


« G " 


4 


" 5 " 


3.6 


7.6 


47 " GO 


2 82 3 CO' 


7 " 


5 


" 7 " 


4i 


" 5| " 


4.0 


9.3 


60 " 77 


4 20 5 29 


8 " 


5 


" 7 " 


4i 


" 5i " 


4.3 


10.5 


71 " 85 


5 6S' 6 80 


9 « - 


5| 


" 7| " 


5 


" 51 " 


4.5 


11.6 


83 " 98 


7 47 


8 82 


10 " 


6 


" 7| " 


H 


" 51 " 


4.7 


12.2 


92 " 105 


9 20 


10 50 


11 " 


H 


u 8 " 


.5| 


» 6 " 


4.8 


12.6 


100 " 114 


11 00 


12 54 


12 " 


u 


" 8 " 


5i 


" 6 " 


4.8 


12.7 


101 " 115 


12 12! 13 80 

1 



In the above table an increased price is given in proportion to the 
length of the arm and body. No extra price will be allowed for any 
increase of length, of less than six inches in the body and three inches 
in the arm^ from the lengths above given; nor must any be received of 
less length than the shortest in the table. 

The body to be sided to the diameter of the arm, the siding way 
taken at the middle of the length of the arm. 

Three-fourths of the smallest diameter of the arm, at two-thirds of its 
length clear of the body, is to be considered the net siding, to which 
the knee must work, and which will be paid for. The length of the 
arm to be measured from the centre of the body. 

The moulding size of the end of the body must be equal to the net 
siding of the knee; and the throat, to the angle, must not be more than 
three times, nor less than twice and one-half, the rough siding of the 
knee, and must not be wounded.* 

Care must be taken that the end of the body above the arm be not 
cut too short, or the knee cannot be received. Limb knees, in all 
cases, will be preferred. 

The price above given is for square and insquare knees. Outsquare 
knees must not exceed 16 degrees, for which the price will be three- 
fourths of the square knees. 

Example of the price per inch — 
8-inch knee, shortest body 5 feet, at 4 cts. 3 mills per foot, cts. 21.5 
shortest arm 4f feet, at 10 cts. 5 mills per foot, 49.8 

Per sided inch 71 .3 

8-inch knee, longest body 7 feet, at 4 cts. 3 mills per foot, - 30.1 
longest arm Z\ feet, at 10 cts. 5 mills per foot, 55.1 



Per sided inch . . . . cts. 85.2 

* That is, no timber to be taken from the throat of the knee- This note is intended for 
contractors. 



Viow ol an eiglil incii knee. 




The same proportions and ratio of prices will govern for " boat 
knees." 

FINE GRAIN SOUTHERN YELLOW PINE. 

Beams are to be got by a mould, or to the sweep or spring, agreea- 
bly to contract, and are to be lined straight the siding way. To be got 
one foot longer, and two inches larger in the moulding and siding, than 
the net dimensions. When dressed to their net sizes, there is to be 
no sap-wood on them. When the beam is to be made of more than 
one piece, no scarph or lap to be cut by the contractor. To be mea- 
sured by the cubic foot, and the ends sawed off square to sound and 
perfect wood. 

Plank stocks must average forty-five feet, and no piece shall be 
under thirty-five feet in length. Two sides must be lined straight, 
but may retain the natural taper of the tree. The other two sides 
may be lined of parallel breadths, or with the natural taperj either 
will allow the pith or centre to be taken out, which should be done; a 
long fair curve will not be objectionable, but no sudden crooks will be 
allowed. The small end shall not be less than four-fifths of the butt 



eml, and (he stnali ciul shall not be less than twelve inches square clear 
of wane. No more sap-wood than one-eighth of the breadth of the 
face from each corner will be allowed on the slocks; the sap-wood to 
be excluded in the measurement; axe marks and improper squaring to 
be noticed , and allowances made for them . Both ends to be sawed ofT 
square to sound and perfect wood, before offered for inspection. To be 
measured by the cubic foot. 

Fromiscuous timber is to be rough squared as the trees grow , and to 
such diameters as the contract may specify. Care must be taken to 
make suitable allowances for axe marks and improper squaring; the 
sap-wood to be excluded from the measurement. To be measured by 
the cubic foot. 

Plank must be square edged, and sawed to an even thickness. To 
average forty-five feet; and no plank to be under thirty-five feet in 
length; the width at top end to be one-fifth less than the width of 
butt end; the top end never to be under ten inches wide; the thickness 
and breadth to be named in the contract. To be measured as board 
measure. 

Masts and bowsprits, topmasts, topgallant masts, booms, yards, and 
half yards. All the pieces required to make the above masts and spars 
are to be got two feet longer and two inches larger each way than the 
net dimensions; the net dimensions to be named in the contract. No 
more sap-wood than one-eighth of the breadth of the face from each 
corner will be allowed on the pieces. The sap-wood to be excluded 
in the measurement. AH the pieces are to be got out to the form re- 
quired, viz: when intended for lower masts, to be lined and got out as 
pieces for lower masts should be; and when for topmasts, topgallant 
masts, booms, and yards, to be lined and got out accurately to the form 
required for such pieces. All such timber to be got square, to be pro- 
perly hewed; the ends to be sawed off to sound and perfect wood before 
offered for inspection. To be measured by the cubic foot. 

The defects in yellow pine are as follows: large sound and rotten 
knots, rot, splits, shakes, double heart, cross grain pieces, which have 
been tapped for the purpose of getting the turpentine. Plank stocks 
and plank are to be clear of knots and all defects. Mast, spar pieces, 
and promiscuous pine, are to be clear of all knots that will constitute a 
defect; none but the very best quality will be received. 



WHITE PINE. 

Plank stocks are to be clear of knots, splits, shakes, rot, and all other 
defects; the average lengths and sizes to be as the contract may require. 
No more sap-wood than one-eighth of the breadth of the face from each 
corner will be allowed on the pieces offered for inspection. The sap- 
wood to be excluded in the measurement. The small end shall not 
be less than four-fifths the size of the butt end; both sides to be lined 
straight; the ends sawed off to square sound wood. 

There are to be but three qualities of white pine boards and plank. 

No. 1, or first quality^ shall be all white pine plank and boards 
which are perfectly clear of all defects; such as knots, rot, stains, splits, 
shakes, coarseness of quality, sap-wood, holes, ant! uneven sawing. 

No. 2, or second (jiiality , shall be such white pine plank and boards 
as shall not have more than iltree medium size knots within the surface 
of fifteen feet; to be clear of other knots, sap wood, rot, shakes, splits, 
holes, and uneven sawing. 

No. 3, or third quality , shall be white pine plank and boards fit for 
stage plank, and sheathing for house tops to receive a slate roof. No 
knots in the stage plank shall be close together, and branch offdiagonallv 
so as to weaken the plank. The stage plank is to be sound and strong, 
and the boards are to have no knots that will come out, and not enough 
to injure them for the purpose intended. All plank and boards to be 
measured by board measure. - 

Mast and bowsprits , when to be made of more than one piece, the 
pieces are to be nicely hewed straight, and square; each to be two feet 
longer and two inches larger than the net dimensions named in the 
contract. If one piece, for a mizen-mast, it may be got in the round, 
but of due proportions, and two feet longer and two inches larger than 
the net size. No sap-wood will be allowed to be on the pieces when 
brought to the net size. Should the bowsprit be in one piece, it should 
hold its size one-third from the heel or butt; the bottom and sides must 
have a legulat curve; the upper side lined straight; the same allowance 
for workmanship as above. On none of the pieces are there to be 
knots that will constitute a defect; the whole to be clear of shakes, 
splits, rot, chafes, to be fresh cut, and in all respects agreeably to con- 
tract. To be measured by the cubic foot. 

SPRUCE SPARS 
Are to be straight. Such as measure from four to ten inciies, both 

sizes inclusive, are to be considered measurement spars, and are to be 
2 



10 

measured by the inch, taking the diameter rlenr of bark one-lhiid of 
their length from the butt ends. 

Those under four inches are to be considered poles, and are purchased 
by the piece. All spruce spars, the diameter of which is above ten 
inches, one-third of their lengths from the butt ends, are to be called 
piece sticks, and are purchased by the piece. All spruce spars of seven 
inches diameter, and less, must have five feet of lengths for every mch 
in diameter; all above seven inches diameter, must have four feet of 
lengths for each inch in diameter. The whole are to have the bark 
on, and to be fresh and sound, clear of rot, shakes, and splits, and to 
hold their sizes well up. 

RED CEDAR. 

Red cedar should be knotty when intended for timbers; the knots to 
be hard and solid, and be clear of rot, splits, shakes, and all other de 
fects. When in the round log to be measured as other round logs; in 
all cases to be measured by the cubic foot. 

YELLOW LOCUST, 

To be of a -'greenish yellow color;" to be clear of rot, splits, shakes, 
worm holes, and all other defects. To be measured by the cubic foot 
in the round log or square, 

WHITE ASH LOGS, 

To be young and tough, clear of rot, knots, splits, shakes, red or other 
stains; if old and brittle it will be rejected. To be got to the lengths 
and diameters agreeably to contract, and to be measured by the cubic 
foot . 

WHITE ASH PLANK AND BOARDS, 

To be clear of rot, knots, shakes, splits, cross grain, red or other stains; 
to be sawed to even thicknesses. To be measured by board measure. 

WHITE ASH OAR RAFTERS, 

To be got to the dimensions named in the contract. They are to be 
young and tough, straight grained, clear of knots, splits, stains, rot, and 
all other defects. To be measured by the lineal foot, to be riven, and 
to be clear of centre pith. 



11 

HICKORY, OR WHITE WALNUT, 

Is to be young and tough, clear of rot, splits, shakes, and all other 
defects. It is seldom used, except for capstan bars and handspikes; 
they are to be riven and hewn, not sawed, to dimensions; to be pur- 
chased by the piece, and got out agreeably to such dimensions as may 
be called for from time to time. To be got square, to prevent springing. 

HACMETAC KNEES, 

Are to be clear of splits, shakes, and rot, and to be got agreeably to the 
table for white oak knees. 

BLACK WALNUT, 

To be clear of rot, splits, shakes, and knots. When got in the round 
log to be measured as round timber. See the measurement of promis- 
cuous white oak in the round log. All plank and boards to be of the 
same good quality, and sawed to even thicknesses. To be measured 
as board measure. 

MAHOGANY, 

Of all kinds, is to be clear of rot, splits, shakes, and all other defects. 
To be measured as board measure. 

ELM, 

Gun carriage timber, is to be clear of centre pith, rot, splits, and shakes, 
yellow and other stains. 

Plank and boards also to be clear of the above defects, and sawed to 
even thickness. The centre or pith in all timber is a defect, and should 
be taken out in all cases when it can be done to advantage, especially 
all timber intended for keelsons, capstans, caps, trestletrees, combings 
for hatches, and all pieces for giui carriages, &c. 

The following computations and remarks are intended as a guide for 
contractors , who have not made themselves acquainted with the men- 
suration of limber, plank, and boards. It is considered fair to measure 
round timber as follows: lake the mean dianietei of the log, clear of 
hark, deduct from this diamclcr one fourth, and the remainder is fo be 
••onsidercd the square of the log. 



12 



Alcan tliameter 2d iucliea. 
Deduct ith 6 " 


EXAMPLES. 

Or thus, 3 is the 


1 


Length. 

43 — 15 in. by 15 in 

10.9 


15 supposed square. 
15 


3 is the 


1 


53.9 
13.5.3 


75 
15 




67.2.3 


225 

43 Icet in length 






675 

900 






12)967;') 






12)80G.3 





67.2.3 = Sixty-seven cubic feet, two inches, and three parts. 

The true square of the above piece would be about fourteen inches. 
In the above computation, all the timber will be paid for that should 
be used in ship building. To measure a piece of round timber as a 
cylinder, would produce more solid feet than could be useful. 

All square and unequal sided timber, such as frames for ships, mast 
and spar pieces, beams, plank stocks, and rough squared promiscuous 
limber, are to be measured as follows: the length, mean breadth, and 
thickness being attained, the computation will be agreeably to the fol- 
lowing examples: 

Say a first futtock, the length of which is 20 feet, mean, moulded 
breadth 17^ inches, siding size or thickness, 15 inches. 

SECOND EXAMPLE, BY PRACTICE. 
4 is 



FIRST EXAMPLE. 
Length. 

20 feet, 17] in. by 15 in. 
174 



140 
20 
10 

350 
15 



1 is 
h is 



3 is 



20 — 17i in. by 15 in. 
6.8 
1.8 
0.10 



29.2 
7.3.6 

36.5.6 



1750 
350 

12)5250 

12)437.6 



,16.5.6 



13 



Ur a plank stock, niasl piece, or beam: 

Or thus, 4 is 



43 17 by 15. 
17 

301 
43 



lis 

3 is 



43 17 by 15. 
14.4 
3.7 

60.11 
15.2.9 



731 
15 

3655 
731 

144)10965 



76.1.9 



76.1.9 Seventy-six cubic feet, one inch, and nine parts. 

The two sides are never to be added together, and the one-half taken 
as the mean size. To find the solidity of timber, multiply the breadth 
by the depth, and that product by the length, as above. 

All plank and boards, all gun carriage timber, thick stuff for caps 
and trestletrees, combings for hatches, and mahogany of all dimen- 
sions, will hereafter be measured by the computation known as hoard 
measure. 

To find the measure of plank, boards, (fcc, above named, proceed 
as in the following examples: 

16 feet in length, 12 inches wide, 1 inch thick, or under 1 inch thick. 
12 
— : — 16 feet long, 12 in. by 1^ in. thick. 

12)192 12 



16 feet board measure. 


192 




li 




192 




24 




12)216 




18 feet board measure 


16 feet long, 12 by li. 
12 


16 feet long, 12 by U 
12 


192 


192 


1| 


n 


192 


192 


96 


48 


J)288 


12)240 


24 feet board measure. 


20 feet board mcnsurc 



14 

16 feet long, 12 in. by 3 in. thick. 
12 

192 
3 

19)576 

48 feet board measure. 
And thus the computation, by an increase of thickness, advances in 
quantity. It will be seen by the contractor, that the three inch plank 
contains twice as much in quantity as the plank 07ie and a half inch 
thick. Twelve /ee/ board measure will make one cubic foot. 

CHAS. WM. SKINNER, 
Chief of Bureau of Construction, Equipment, and Repairs. 

Approved : 

JOHN Y. MASON. 





B unch Worm 






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